The organic movement is growing. More and more people are becoming interested in using products that have organic and natural ingredients. Many of us are looikng to eliminate toxic chemicals from our products completely. The personal care industry has caught on. Some companies are making positive changes, and others are simply "greenwashing" their labels to hide toxic ingredients. Greenwashing is a term describing the deceptive use of green PR or green marketing in order to promote a misleading perception that a company's policies or products are environmentally friendly. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwashing for complete definition.)

It has become very trendy for companies to label their personal care products with the words "natural" and "organic". Some companies will also use the label "contains organic and natural Ingredients". Does this mean that these products are safe? Not necessaily. There are no restrictions in marketing to use the words "organic" or "natural". It is up to us, the comsumers, to navigate through the crafty marketing tags and labels to find products that are truly organic and natural. The only way to know if a product has certified organic ingredients is to find a third party certified organic logo on the packaging, such as the USDA or ACO logo.

It is also important to know that just because a product's label says "naturally derived" does not mean it is free from toxic chemicals. Naturally derived still invloves a chemical process, wheras truly natural has no chemical reaction. Truly organic ingredients will be minimally processed, naturally extracted, have no synthetic processes or preservatives, no animal testing and no irradiation.

Every product we put on our skin is absorbed into our system. Do you know what your skin is eating? You can visit this website: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ and enter ingredients from some of your personal care products. How does your favorite face cream rate? The issue is not just one product, or just one ingredient, but the layers of products we use every day. Shampoo, conditioner, face and body wash, shaving cream, moisturizer, anti-aging creams or gels, liquid foundation, eye color, lip color...women layer several products every day. What are we absorbing into our systems?

In January 2010, the Organic Consumers Association, along with certified organic personal care brands Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, Intelligent Nutrients, and Organic Essence, filed complaint with the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) requesting action on the widespread and blatantly deceptive labeling practices of leading “organic” personal care brands, in violation of the federal organic law. This does not include companies that are misusing the term "natural" only the term "organic".

BOYCOTT THESE FAKE "ORGANIC" BRANDS

* Avalon "Organics"

* Desert Essence "Organics"

* Earth's Best "Organic"

* Eminence "Organic" (Except Few w/USDA Seal)

* Giovanni "Organic"

* Goodstuff "Organics”

* Head "Organics"

* Jason "Pure, Natural & Organic"

* Kiss My Face "ObsessivelyOrganic"

* Nature's Gate "Organics"

* Physicians Formula "Organic" Wear

* Stella McCartney "100% Organic"

If you are interested in learning more, or would like to discuss this subject with me, please contact me directly at 856.313.1055 or amy@bewellmassage.com

If you want to explore a line of truly certified organic products, please visit: www.BeTrueOrganics.com

If you would like to attend a free webinar called "Navigating Organic Beauty-Dirty Secrets Exposed" please visit: http://www.bewellmassage.com/blogs/news